By this time next year, preparations for the inauguration of a new regime would be in top gear. By this time next year, Nigeria and Nigerians would be preparing to usher in new governments at federal and state levels. These preparations however will be preceded by elections. And the mood that will ultimately characterize the inaugural ceremony will be determined by the manner of the elections conduct.
If the elections unusually turn out to be free, fair, transparent and therefore acceptable, euphoria will characterize 29th May, 2015. But if on the contrary the elections are rigged as usual and thus unacceptable, that fateful day will be one of mourning for democrats as our nascent democracy will yet be hit by a heavy blow.
The impact of such blow will be better imagined than mentioned-for it may be felt by even the nerves that transmit impulse to and fro Nigeria`s Central Nervous System. But we hope and pray it doesn’t get to that.
Whilst however we seek divine intervention, we must as a matter of urgency act as well. We know how power thirsty and desperate our politicians are. We know that almost all the politicians here are willing and ever ready to do whatever is possible to either continue to remain in power or get hold of it.
It is common knowledge here that politicians are so insincere that INEC or its officials collaborate with them to conduct sham and thereafter name it election. Election rigging is not new here. It is nothing in Nigeria to deny one their constitutional right of voting.
We are witnesses to how we were denied our rights in 2003, 2007 and 2011. And we are now seeing the results of such daylight robbery; inept and corrupt leadership at all levels. Thus it is incumbent upon every Nigerian to stand up to say no to election rigging. We must collectively tackle electoral fraud.
Irrespective of our religious, ethnic and political affiliations, we must unite to fight for the future of this nation. The duty to fight for the interests of our children squarely rests on us. We must collectively fight for credible elections come 2015 if we want a better Nigeria for our children. And whilst the election was scheduled for January 2015, the struggle begins now and continues till the end.
This is the time to begin mobilizing and enlightening ourselves with a view to liberating fellow compatriots. At every social stratum, group or nomenclature, programs to sensitize the citizenry on the roles of political parties, the election umpire; INEC and security agencies in democracy and election should be initiated.
Meanwhile, cooperation and unity are very important factors for the success of any struggle. In the past, politicians successfully divided us and happily robbed us of our rights. We must therefore resist any attempt to create religious and or ethnic lines between us.
Jarmajo can be reached via wala_seko@yahoo.com
On Twitter: @mukhtarjarmajo
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